Call for unity mark June 18 Uprising
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, June 18 2014: The people of Manipur on Wednesday paid befitting homage to the 18 martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the cause of safeguarding the territorial integrity of the state during the June 18, 2001 uprising against the extension of the cease fire agreement signed between Government of India and NSCN-IM.

Thousands of people belonging to various ethnic communities paid floral tributes to the 18 martyrs and took part in the commemorative function held under the banner of 13th The Great June 18 Uprising Day, Unity Day at Kekrupat here, where the mortal remains of the martyrs were laid to rest and a memorial complex has been set up in their honour.

Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, Works Minister Dr Kh Ratankumar, MP (Outer) Dr T Meinya, Rajya Sabha MP Abdul Salam, Social Welfare Minister AK Mirabai, PHED Minister I Hemochandra, Agriculture Minister Md Abdul Nasir, MLAs O Landhoni Devi, P Brojen, K Sharat, Kh Joykishan, Fazur Rahim, W Brajabidhu, N Biren, Dr I Ibohalbi, E Chand, etc, were also among other elected representatives who turned to pay homage to the martyrs.

13th The Great June 18 Uprising Day, Unity Day at Kekrupat

The 13th anniversary of the Great June 18 Uprising Day, Unity Day was organized under the joint aegis of United Committee Manipur (UCM) and All Manipur United Clubs' Organisation (AMUCO) .

Leaders from different communities of the State including those coming from Assam, Meira paibis and representatives of civil society organizations were also among the thousands of people who came to Kekrupat to take part in the commemorative event.

Relatives and families were seen mourning with tears at the Memorial Complex while offering flowers to their departed loved ones.

Many Shumang Lila Artistes also paid homage to the departed souls at the Memorial Complex.

The commemorative event started off along with performing religious rites by priests and priestesses.

To mark the event, blood donations camps were held at RIMS, JNIMS and Kekrupat where several individuals donated their blood.

In view of the law and order situation and the huge crowd coming from different parts of the State, Manipur Police put in place necessary security measures in and around the memorial complex to facilitate free movement of the people and to avoid disturbance.

The 18 martyrs who had laid down their lives during the June 18, 2001 uprising were Okram Ramananda of Langathel Mayai Leikai, Laitonjam Rajkumar of Uripok Khoisnam Leikai, Laishram Ongbi RK Tamphasana of Kwakeithel Moirang Purel, Thokchom Lalit of Yaiskul Jamasthan, Bachaspatimayum Naocha of Keishamthong Elangbam Leikai, Khoisnam Shinghajit of Liwa Lambi Maibam Leikai, Amom Rajen of Naoremthong Takhellambam Leikai, Kshetrimayum Romeo of Singjamei Kshetri Leikai, Rishikanta Yumnam of Khagempalli Panthak, Gurumayum Dutta of Kwakeithel Konjeng Leikai, Sagolsem Surchandra of Porompat Thawanthaba Leikai, Thokchom Wilson of Nongmeibung, Thoudam Guneshwor of Khoijuman Mamang Leikai, Konsam Kameshwar and Kshetrimyum Jiban of Khurai Konsam Leikai, Mayanglambam Manikanta of Awang Sekmai, Thingom Birendra of Chingamakha Irom Leirak and Chabungbam Bharat of Awang Khunou Mamang Leikai lost their lives during the public upheaval.

As part of the commemorative event, the 13th Great June 18 Uprising Day, Unity Day Observation Committee also organized a huge public meeting at the venue.

On the occasion, simple gifts were also presented to the relatives and families of the 18 martyrs and several individuals who were injured in the mass agitation.

Addressing the meet, Chairman of the organizing committee and president of UCM, Y Nabachandra called on all ethnic groups in the State to have the feeling of oneness.

"Let us give up communal idea and variation among us and work together and strive for a common bright future," he exhorted.

Nabachandra asserted marking the June 18 Uprising event does not aimed at going against any community in the State and added, "We all need to live together in peace and harmony for a better Manipur" .

AMUCO president and vice-chairman of the June 18 event organizing committee, Y Manikhuman, who also spoke at the public meeting, recalled that the people of Manipur rose up as one against the Government of India out of their own volition and foiled the plot to disintegrate and slice up the land.

He also emphasized the need for working together among the communities with a sense of unity and integrity to make Manipur a peaceful land.

Earlier, delivering the key note address, convenor of the Observation Committee, T Gandhi recounted that the 18 people were killed in the June 18 public movement in the aftermath of the ceasefire agreement signed between the then BJP-led Government at the Centre and NSCN-IM at Bangkok on June 13-14 in 2001 with the most salient feature of the extension of ceasefire 'without territorial limits' .

The public meeting was also attended by Th Ramani, general secretary of Nupi Samaj; L Memchoubi, president of Poirei Leimarol; Y Leirikleima, president of Kanglamei; advocate Md Shahid Ahman Dolaipaibam; Rose Manshi Haokip, president of Kuki Women's Union; Kakomlunglu Kamei, president of Kabui Mothers' Association; Sitara Begum, president of All Manipur Muslim Women's Development Organisation; Rinnei Chong Purum, chief of Khongnangpokpi village; pastor Kungsong Wanbe, former president of Koireng Youth Organisation; Zatak Chiru, president of Chiru Tribe Union; Mangpu Kom, secretary of Kom Literature Society; Th Iboyaima, social woker and chief advisor of AMUCO; members of UCM Consultative Committee, RK Ranendrajit, Ibotombi Khuman and Y Dilipkumar, Dr Dhanabir Laishram, advisor of AMUCO; Kh Ratan, founder convenor of UCM; M Shantibabu, president of Ima Keithel Lairembi Lup, Hojai; T Manihar, general secretary of Manipur Cultural Society, Assam, etc.